History of Abbeyfield UK
The Abbeyfield movement was launched by Richard Carr-Gomm in 1956, its name comes from the meeting place of the first voluntary committee in Abbeyfield Road, London. The movement arose with a vision by its founder to establish a place for friendship and company and where the wisdom and experience of older people can continue to be shared with the community.
Traditionally, Abbeyfield services have been managed by local volunteer-led societies that are independent non-profit making organisations in a federated structure known as The Abbeyfield Society. There were more than 550 Abbeyfield societies throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland supporting over 8,000 residents when Abbeyfield UK was established in 2003.
Abbeyfield UK was set up to protect the future of the Abbeyfield movement and is itself a member of The Abbeyfield Society. Abbeyfield UK was registered as a social landlord (RSL) in 2003 and has since grown rapidly in size as many local societies chose to merge their operations with a professional central organisation.
There are Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland arms of the Abbeyfield movement, and The Abbeyfield Society acts as a coordinating function for the movement.